Tension jarring tool with tension assembly



United States Patent C) 3,360,060 TENSION JARRING TOOL WITH TENSION ASSEMBLY John C. Kinley, 5815 Royalton St., Houston, Tex. 77036; Myron M. Kinley, Chickasha, kla.; and Clifford E. Anderson, Houston, Tex.; said Myron M. K1nley and said Anderson assiguors to said John C. Kmley Filed Aug. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 480,638 Claims. (Cl. 175-299) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A jarring tool for operation on a wireline, wherein tension is applied through a coil spring disposed between the wireline and the jarring tool, the upper end of the spring moving upwardly for the full amount of the stretch needed to develop a predetermined tension and pulling force on the jarring tool for releasing same to obtain a jarring action on a stuck fish or the like.

In United States Patent No. 3,062,304, a tension jarring tool is disclosed which is particularly suitable for actuation by fluid pressure in a well rather than by pulling with a wire line. The present jarring tool has a fixed latch shoulder and a novel tension element adjusting means which are improvements on the jarring tool of said Patent No. 3,062,304, and in addition, the present invention includes a tension assembly which includes a coil spring connected to a wireline for imparting a more effective pulling on the jarring tool.

The preferred embodiment of this invention will be described hereinafter, together with other features thereof, and additional objects will become evident from such description.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of the jarring apparatus of this invention disposed in a well;

FIG. 2 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating the tension assembly which is especially adapted for use as a part of the jarring apparatus of FIG 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views, partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating the upper and lower portions, respectively, of the jarring tool illustrated in the jarring apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3C is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on line 3C-3C of FIG. 3B;

FIGS; 4A and 4B are views similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively, but illustrating the jarring tool in the position the parts thereof assume when a jarring blow is obtained;

FIG. 4C is a partial view taken on line 4C4C of FIG. 4B.

In the drawings, the letter A designates generally the jarring apparatus of this invention which preferably includes a jarring tool I, a tension assemblly or device T, and a weight section W therebetween. In the normal use of the jarring apparatus A, the lower end of the jarring tool I is connected with a fishing tool F, a portion of which is illustrated in FIG. 1, for connection with a stuck fish or other object in the well C. The lower end of the jarring tool I may also be connected to various types of delicate well instruments because with the present invention, as will be more evident hereinafter, the jarring tool I is latched in an inactive position so that jarring is prevented unless the delicate instrument becomes stuck in the well pipe or casing C, or at some other point in the well bore. With the combination as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the tension assembly T is connected to the upper end of the jarring tool I through the weight section W to provide a more effective mean for producing tension to actuate the jarring tool I than has heretofore been provided.

Considering the invention more in detail, the tension assembly T includes an outer sleeve 10 and an inner mandrel 11 which are longitudinally movable relative to each other within limits. The upper end of the mandrel 11 is preferably provided with threads 11a or other suitable means for connecting to a rope socket 12 for thereby attaching a wire line 15 or other suitable support element thereabove. The mandrel 11 has an enlarged diameter portion 11b and a spiral or helical external groove 110 is formed thereon for receiving the upper convolutions of a coil spring 20 or similar resilient means.

The smaller diameter portion of the mandrel 11 extends through an opening or bore 10a in the upper end of the sleeve 10. The lower end of the mandrel 11 has a stop ring 14 mounted thereon with a snap ring 16 or any other suitable securing means so that the upward travel of the mandrel 11 with respect to the sleeve 10 is limited by the engagement of the stop ring 14 with the shoulder 10b on the sleeve 10. 1

The sleeve 10 has suitable openings for the relief of fluid pressure within the sleeve 10 so as to prevent any fluid lock. A helical or spiral groove 10d is provided at the lower portion of the sleeve 10, such groove 10d corresponding to the groove on the mandrel 11. The groove 10d is adapted to receive the lower convolutions of the coil spring 20 so as to establish a connection between such lower end of the spring 20 and the sleeve 10. It will be appreciated that anchoring means other than or in addition to the grooves 10d and 11c may be provided for securing the upper end of the spring 20 to the mandrel 11, and for securing the lower end of the spring 20 to the sleeve 10. The lower end of the sleeve 10 is provided with threads 102 or any other suitable means for attaching to either the upper end 22 of the weight section W, the upper end of the jarring tool I if the weight section W is not used, or in some instances, to other tools (not shown) wherein the tension or stretch force provided by the assembly T may be useful.

The weight section W may be any type of suitable weight for disposition within the casing or well C, and in the usual case, it is formed by a solid cylindrical bar of steel or similar material which has suitable threaded connections at each end for connecting to the tension assembly T and the jarring tool I. Thus, the upper end 22 of the weight section W is shown as connected to the threads 10a of the tension assembly T, and the lower end 23 of the weight section W is shown as connected to threads 30a (FIG. 3A) 0n the upper end of a fishing section 30 disposed as the upper end of the jarring tool J.

In FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the jarring tool J is illustrated in the normal running in position, and FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the jarring tool I in the position the parts assume when a jar is provided with the tool I. The jarring section I includes a first section or cylinder 35 which is adapted to be connected to an object in a well. A second section 36 is mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the first section 35 and it is connected through the fishing neck or section 30 to the weight section W and the tension assembly T, as previously explained.

The first section or cylinder 35 has threads 35a formed in the lower end thereof for connection with the fishing tool F or another tool such as a delicate instrument that might be supported below the jarring tool J.

An upper annular jarring surface 37a is provided in the bore of the cylinder 35 by means of a sleeve 37 which is preferably threaded to the upper end of the section 35 at threads 35b. The wall of the cylinder 35 is provided with a longitudinal slot 35c, which is enlarged to a circular shape at the upper end 35d for assembly purposes as will be more evident hereinafter.

In the preferred form of the invention, the lower end of the second section or inner bar 36 is releasably attached to a latch element 40 (FIG. 3B). The latch element 40 could be formed integrally with the bar 36, or it could be welded or otherwise permanently secured to the bar 36, but as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the latch element 40 is releasable for disassembly purposes from the bar 36, although the element 40 is not releasable from the bar 36 during the operation of the jarring tool I.

Thus, the lower end of the bar 36 is formed with a stem 36a which has a flange 36b formed therebelow. The flange 36b fits within a recess 40a of the latching element 40, and below a substantially U-shaped flange 4%. With such construction, the bar 36 may be detached from the latch element 40 for disassembly purposes out of the well by moving the latch assembly 40 upwardly with the sleeves 37 removed from the cylinder 35. When the latch element 40 is moved upwardly to expose the recess or slot 40a above the upper end of the cylinder 35, the bar 36 may be moved laterally with respect to the latch element 40 so as to move the flange 36b laterally out of the slot 48a to thereby detach the bar 36 from the element 40.

When in use, the latch element 40 is connected as illustrated in FIG. 3B to the bar 36 and is prevented from moving upwardly to effect a disconnection of the latch element 40 from the bar 36 by the presence of the sleeve 37. In fact, the bar 36 has a jarring annular surface 360 which is adapted to engage the annular jarring surface 37a for the jarring blow provided by the jarring tool I, as will be more evident hereinafter.

Also, the latch element 40 has a limited travel within the cylinder 35 by reason of a pair of pins 42 (FIG. 30) which fit within the respective slots 350. Such pins 42 are formed with a cylindrical portion 42a which fits within a recess 40c of the latch element 40. Each pin 42 preferably has longitudinally extending flat surfaces 42b which slidably engage the inner surfaces of the respective slots 350 during the relative longitudinal movement of the latch element 40 with respect to the cylinder 35. The pins 42 may be held in the desired position with respect to the latch element 40 by any suitable means, including welding or the like, but as illustrated in FIG. 3C, a threaded rod 45 extends through an opening 40d and -it has suitable threads for. threaded engagement with internal threads within the interior of each of the guide pins 42.

A tension element 50 is connected to the first section or cylinder 35 by means of a pivot pin 51 which extends through opposite walls of a slot 35a formed in the lower end of the cylinder 35 (FIG. 3B). The tension element 50 has a substantially U-shape with one leg 50a being longer than the other leg 50b. The longer leg 50a has a hook 500 formed at its upper end for engagement with a lateral shoulder 40e provided on the latch element 40. Preferably, both the lower surface of the hook 50c and the upper surface of the shoulder 40e are inclined downwardly to some extent to facilitate the release of the hook 50c from the shoulder 40:: when a predetermined tension is developed by pulling on the bar 36, as will be more fully explained.

The amount of predetermined tension which is required to release the hook 500 from the shoulder 40e so as to permit a longitudinal movement of the latch element 40 and the bar 36 upwardly with respect to the tension element 50 and the cylinder 35 is adjustable by means of a fixed pin 55 and a removable adjustable pin 56. The fixed pin '55 extends through the Wall of the cylinder 35 on the opposite sides of the slot 350! and engages the inner surface of the longer leg 50a asbest seen in FIG. 3B. The removable pin 56 may be positioned in any one of the openings 35e in the opposing walls 35 (FIG. 4C)

of the cylinder 35. The removable pin 56 may be driven into the openings 35c and held therein by a wedging action, or preferably the pin 56 has threads 56a formed at one end thereof which are adapted to be threaded into threaded engagement with suitable threads formed in the openings 35a in one of the walls 35f (FIG. 4C). As can be seen in FIG. 3B, the removable pin 56 engages the inner surface of the shorter leg 50b to spread the leg 5% apart with respect to the longer leg 50a and thereby place the longer leg 5021 under a predetermined amount of tension. It will be appreciated that if the pin 56 is moved to one of the openings 35e which spreads the legs 50a and 50b a further distance apart, the tension in the longer leg 50a will be increased and therefore a greater amount of pulling force on the latch element 40 would be required to release it from the hook 500.

In the operation or use of the apparatus A of this invention, it is preferably assembled as illustrated in FIG. 1 and is lowered into the well. The fishing tool F or other device such as a delicate temperature or pressure measuring instrument is connected below the jarring tool I. When the fishing tool F is used, it is connected to a stuck object such as a pipe in the well in the usual manner. The tool I is then ready to jar, and of course the same condition occurs if the tool F or other tool connected to the lower end of the tool I becomes stuck itself.

To release the stuck tool or object, a pull is taken on the wire line 15 at the surface of the well, which places the tension assembly T in a condition of tension or stretch. Thus, as the wire line 15 is pulled upwardly, the spring 20 is stretched, and such stretching of the spring 20 continues until a sufiicient amount of tension is developed in the wire line 15 and the spring 20 to overcome the tension force holding the hook 50c of the tension arm 50 in engagement with the lateral shoulder 40a of the latch element 40.

When the tension force acting upwardly on the element 49 through the bar 36 and the parts thereabove is sufficient to overcome the tension on the hook 500, there is a rapid rise or upward movement of the latch element 40 with the bar 36 relative to the cylinder 35 as the spring 20 returns towards its collapsed position, thus bringing the jarring surface 360 into sharp jarring contact with the jarring surface 37a. The jarring force transmitted to the surface 37a is likewise conducted through the cylinder 35 to the fishing tool F or other object connected to or below the cylinder 35. It can thus be seen that with the present invention, the stretch in the spring 20 provides a more effective means for assuring that the tension and upward force applied to the bar 36 and the latch element 40 is rapidly transmitted thereto for obtaining a greater jarring force when the surfaces 360 and 37a come into contact. Heretofore, when the stretch in the wire line 15 alone was relied upon for developing the tension to release the latch element 40 from the hook of the tension arm in the prior constructions, the line 15 was subject to the frictional engagement with the wall of the well bore which tended to retard the upward pulling action when the bar 36 was released and was moving upwardly for the jarring blow. Also, the tension force is developed Within a shorter length in the tension assembly T as compared to developing a tension throughout a relatively long wire line 15 so that normally a more rapid transmission of the pulling or tension force from the tension assembly T is provided as compared to merely developing a tension or stretch in a wire line.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A jarring apparatus, comprising:

(a) a jarring tool for providing a jarring action in a line, comprising:

(a) a jarring tool for providing a jarring action in a well upon the application of a predetermined pulling force,

(b) said jarring tool including:

(1) a first section for connecting to an object in a well,

(2) a second section longitudinally movable relative to the first section, and

(3) releasable means for holding the first and second sections together until the predetermined pulling force has been applied to the second section for thereby releasing the second section for longitudinal movement relative to the first section, and

(c) a tension assembly including a coil spring operably connected to said second section of the jarring tool and having its upper end adapted to move upwardly with a wireline connected thereto for the full amount of stretch needed for developing the predetermined pulling force required to initiate the jarring action by the jarring tool.

3. A tension assembly, including:

(a) a sleeve having means therewith for connection with an object therebelow,

(b) a mandrel having its upper end disposed above said sleeve and its lower end extending into said sleeve and longitudinally movable relative thereto, and

(c) a coil spring having its lower end connected to said sleeve and its upper end connected to said mandrel above the upper end of said sleeve so that the upper end of the spring moves upwardly for the full amount of stretch needed for developing a predetermined tension and a pulling force on the sleeve and the object connected therewith.

4. A jarring tool, comprising:

(a) a first section for connecting to an object in a well,

(b) a second section longitudinally movable relative to the first section,

(c) a fixed latch shoulder formed on the lower end of said second section,

(d) a tension element connected to said first section and having a hook releasably engaged with said latch shoulder until a predetermined pull is applied to said second section for overcoming the restraining force of the tension element,

(e) coacting jarring surfaces on the first and second sections for jarring contact with each other after a release of said tension element from said shoulder and longitudinal travel of said second section rela tive to said first section, and

(f) means for adjusting the tension of said tension element to thereby determine the amount of the predetermined pull required to release said tension element from said latch shoulder.

5. A jarring tool, comprising:

(a) a first section for connecting to an object in a well,

(b) a second section longitudinally movable relative to the first section,

(c) a latch shoulder formed on the lower end of said second section,

((1) a tension element connected to said first section and having a hook releasably engaged with said latch shoulder until a predetermined pull is applied to said second section for overcoming the restraining force of the tension element,

(e) coacting jarring surfaces on the first and second sections for jarring contact with each other after a release of said tension element from said shoulder and longitudinal travel of said second section relative to said first section,

(f) said tension element being substantially U-shaped with the leg thereof having said hook being longer than the other leg,

(g) pivotal connection means pivotally mounting said tension element to said first section at the lower portion of the U-shaped element,

(h) stop means limiting the pivotal movement of said leg of the tension element having the hook thereon,

(i) a plurality of openings disposed longitudinally with respect to each other and in proximity to the opening between the legs of the U-shaped element, and

(j) a removable pin selectively disposed in one of said openings and extending into the opening between the legs of the U-shaped element and engageable with the shorter one of the legs for holding it spread apart from the leg having the hook thereon to hold a predetermined tension in the leg having the hook thereon which tension must be overcome by a pulling force on the second section before said shoulder is released from said hook.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,848,535 3/1932 McCullough -302 1,852,250 4/1932 McCullough 175-302 1,895,227 1/1933 McCullough 175-302 2,671,640 3/1954 Baker 175304 X 2,972,380 2/ 1961 Bodine 1-66l78 X 3,024,854 3/1962 Coifee 175299 3,203,482 8/1965 Lyles 175-299 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner. 

1. A JARRING APPARATUS, COMPRISING: (A) A JARRING TOOL FOR PROVIDING A JARRING ACTION IN A WELL UPON THE APPLICATION OF A PREDETERMINED PULLING FORCE, (B) A WEIGHT SECTION CONNECTED ABOVE THE JARRING TOOL FOR INCREASING SAID JARRING ACTION, AND (C) A TENSION ASSEMBLY CONNECTED ABOVE SAID WEIGHT SECTION AND HAVING A SPRING THEREWITH WHICH IS ADAPTED TO BE STRETCHED FOR DEVELOPING SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE PULLING FORCE REQUIRED TO INITIATE THE JARRING RING ACTION BY THE JARRING TOOL. 